It just gave us the ability to have valid backups most of the time.
IT Manager at a media company with 1,001-5,000 employees
It gave us the ability to have valid backups. I would like to see a more stable environment in a WAN infrastructure.
Pros and Cons
- "The interface easy to use and it is compatible with most backup devices."
- "More stable environment in a WAN infrastructure."
- "There were issues with stability, such as big issues/error messages when trying to restore SQL instances, Exchange datastores, or single files."
How has it helped my organization?
What is most valuable?
The interface easy to use and it is compatible with most backup devices.
What needs improvement?
- Ability to backup to cloud
- Virtualization backups availability
- More stable environment in a WAN infrastructure
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There were issues with stability, such as big issues/error messages when trying to restore SQL instances, Exchange datastores, or single files
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
In terms of scalability, if you get rid of a server that belongs to the CASO, the catalogs won´t work. Restores get even more difficult. If you need to replace the CASO, it is very frustrating.
How are customer service and support?
I would give technical support a rating of 5/10.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We were hoping to get scalability and a stable backup environment.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is complex when you are replacing an existing server.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing is similar, but they don´t offer the same options/technology.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated many other options back at that time.
What other advice do I have?
Check Veeam first.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Network Engineer at a manufacturing company
It provides our daily backups and restores
Pros and Cons
- "It provides our daily backups and restores, giving us the ability to locate and restore critical files which users may have intentionally or unknowingly deleted a while ago."
- "They can work on the issue of the job timing out when it is unable to reach a selection item. It sometimes hangs up on the selection item, thus preventing the job from continuing."
How has it helped my organization?
It provides our daily backups and restores. It gives us the ability to locate and restore critical files which users may have intentionally or unknowing deleted a while ago. We also enjoy the feature which allow us to set up a backup job on one location, to be backed up to media on another Backup Exec server.
What is most valuable?
- Backup to Disk: It restore files very quickly.
- vSphere infrastructure backup option: Useful to keeps VMs on disk and it is done fast.
What needs improvement?
They can work on the issue of the job timing out when it is unable to reach a selection item. It sometimes hangs up on the selection item, thus preventing the job from continuing.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There were issues with version 2010, but since our last upgrade, we are comfortable again.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
There were no issues with scalability, because we had all the necessary licenses.
How are customer service and technical support?
I would give technical support a rating of nine out of 10.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not use a different solution before this one.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
If your company can afford it, go for it.
What other advice do I have?
It is simple to set up. Once the backup jobs are clearly defined, the rest is history.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Veritas Backup Exec
June 2026
Learn what your peers think about Veritas Backup Exec. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2026.
905,526 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Lead Technical Specialist at a tech services company
Two main purposes that we are using this application is for backup and restore.
Pros and Cons
- "For us, the main two features that we appreciate in this application are backup and restore. They are the main purposes for which we are using this application."
- "We are using this application as a corporate standard and we feel it's a better application compared to the others."
- "It's not too stable for client-server architecture. Center Management is not so interactive, and then there are some issues regarding the complex licensing which needs improvement."
How has it helped my organization?
I can give examples in term of the databases: the Exchange databases, the email databases or the flag files. It has improved the working of our organization in such a way that you can even go to a block-level restore and can go to a demo-level file restore.
The the technology we have been using is much better than the other software providers in the region. The other companies are OK now but Veritas started out first with this technology.
We are using this application as a corporate standard and we feel it's a better application compared to the others.
What is most valuable?
The most important feature of this product is the backup of any data, i.e. it could be databases or Z files, or anything.
For us, the main two features that we appreciate in this application are backup and restore. They are the main purposes for which we are using this application.
What needs improvement?
The stability, reliability of the product and the features that are available in this application are very good.
However, it's not too stable for client-server architecture. Center Management is not so interactive, and then there are some issues regarding the complex licensing which needs improvement.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There are small issues are going on. I am not sure if it is the product or the environment or the hardware that we use to support this application. So there are various potential factors. However, if you go back to the application, the support is really good. We get support in a timely fashion and are happy with it.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The product has limited scalability. It comes down to the hardware, i.e. what we are using, based on its limitations. It can support anything. If you're OK to scale in terms of your hardware, it's going to support you; that is not a problem. But, the licensing structure is quite complex and, as mentioned, this is where they could improve. Licensing is quite complex to understand, we have to go back to the vendor every time to get the right product.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support depends upon the person who answers the call. If they are in your time region, then you get better support, but if they're not in your region then there is a delay in the support and you lose valuable business for backup and restore. Overall, it is much better than the others.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We are actually using two to three solutions at the moment. We are using the Arcserve Backup as they have also been a major player in the market for many years. We were using it and it was OK, but they have not advanced in terms of their technology for many years. for this reason we had to switch to Veritas.
How was the initial setup?
Setup can be both straightforward and complex. If you're talking about just a single installation, it's straightforward. But if you come back to the client-server architecture, it's complex because it has to match the versions and it has a one-version backup compatibility. If you had to go back to a previous version, then you struggle. Thus, it's simple for standalone but is complex for the client-server architecture.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Definitely, we evaluated different options. We evaluated this product on different levels. We evaluated it for various backups such as the Linux backup, and we also used it for several other purposes and found that it's a better solution. That was why we chose this application.
The only challenge we are facing is that the Center Management is not as good as Arcserve, but it still works. The Center Management dashboard is not so user-friendly and that is the only thing we struggle with.
What other advice do I have?
It's an easy software to set up and also, to backup and restore your files.
It's user-friendly, it's not very complex and a person with limited IT/technical support knowledge can manage this application.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Manager of Infrastructure at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
The speed at which one can restore offers much faster recovery times for our clients.
Pros and Cons
- "The Exchange restore is the most valuable feature; the restore granularity that the product offers is great, right down to the individual emails, saving a ton of time and effort for the admins and resulting in far less frustration for the end user, which equates to more time for admins to address more pressing issues and increases employee productivity."
- "Make the product more user-friendly for users who aren't familiar with Veritas Backup Exec."
What is most valuable?
The Exchange restore is the most valuable feature. The restore granularity that the product offers is great, right down to the individual emails.
It saves a ton of time and effort for the admins. There is far less frustration for the end user that equates to more time for admins for addressing more burning issues within their areas of expertise, thus, increasing the employee's productivity.
How has it helped my organization?
The speed at which one can restore offers much faster recovery times for our clients.
What needs improvement?
Make the product more user-friendly for users who aren't familiar with Veritas Backup Exec. The product is better utilized if you've used previous versions of the product.
The Veritas Backup Exec GUI is familiar to users who have used the product before. However for a new user the GUI could prove to be slightly challenging to get used to. Veritas should provide an update where the GUI layout is redesigned and provides a certain level of comfort for new/first-time users of the product.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used this solution for around six to ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There were no stability issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
There were no scalability issues.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is good. Veritas is good, overall, when it comes to the technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used numerous backup products. My personal preference would be IBM Tivoli Store Manager (TSM). Cost is always a factor and Veritas Backup Exec is very competitively priced.
How was the initial setup?
The setup was straightforward but Veritas assisted us with the implementation, which in turn ensured that the best practices were adhered to.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Engage with as many Veritas partners as possible, to try and get the best pricing based on the partner status.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at NetBackup and IBM TSM.
What other advice do I have?
Consider all the backup requirements and budgets. Look at your IT department's long-term strategy.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Network specialist at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees
It's useful for backing up both physical and virtual servers of Windows and Linux machines, but I've had compatibility errors in 30% of cases.
Pros and Cons
- "It is very useful to be able to backup files and folders, for both Windows and Linux (physical and virtual servers), and put them into whatever kind of storage that you desire."
- "It's still hard to use. A more user-friendly version would be great."
What is most valuable?
It is very useful to be able to backup files and folders, for both Windows and Linux (physical and virtual servers), and put them into whatever kind of storage that you desire.
How has it helped my organization?
It supports most of our storage systems and backs up most of them.
What needs improvement?
It's still hard to use. A more user-friendly version would be great.
I had compatibility error with Symantec in 30% of cases, and I think Symantec needs to change the whole user interface and menu.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I was using image base/file and folder backup system from HP.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Senior Manager of IT at a real estate/law firm with 51-200 employees
Excellent backup tool with great support. But installing updates is time consuming.
Pros and Cons
- "Excellent backup tool for doing disk to disk to tape."
- "Service pack releases mean you need to apply it to the media server and then manually update each agent. Can be time-consuming."
Valuable Features:
Excellent backup tool for doing disk to disk to tape.
Support is great, even though you get through to Pune or Bangalore, their support skills are great.
Room for Improvement:
Service packs releases mean you need to apply it to the media server and then manually update each agent. Can be time-consuming.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Which backup tool do you recommend for backing up oracle databases?
Network Manager at a local government with 51-200 employees
Great backup solution if you need support.
Pros and Cons
- "I use this on a few of my servers, and it does a great job with scheduling full backups and incremental backups."
- "Sometimes permissions and deploying the agents can be tricky."
Valuable Features:
I use this on a few of my servers. This does a great job with scheduling full backups and incremental backups. Support is good due to it being an enterprise product.
Room for Improvement:
Sometimes permissions and deploying the agents can be tricky. I found that running as a local admin works better than domain admin. Some tape drives it has issues with, and doesn't like certain tape manufacturers.
Other Advice:
I have mostly moved away from this to Amanda backup, due to it being open source (free!!). A few years ago, this would be all that I trust to do backups, but now it is no longer needed.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Can we use Symantec Backup for mysql hot backup? What are the other utilities that can be used for mysql online backup?
Network Manager at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Symantec Backup Exec 2012 is feature rich tool which heavily depends on agents
Pros and Cons
- "Symantec Backup Exec 2012 is a feature rich tool for data protection and recovery."
- "Most features work when agents are installed on servers, but you have to pay extra for most of them."
Valuable Features:
Protection plans can now be created by performing fewer steps, as compared to version 2010.Software deployment is straight forward. The homepage has been redesigned, which provides detailed statistics about backup operations, media, and job statuses.Remote agent installation is also simple; when you go to the Backup and Restore options it displays all the systems that have agents running.Backups can be restored or converted into virtual machines running in VMware or Hyper-V environments.Multiple systems can be placed in groups to share the backup strategies
Room for Improvement:
Most features work when agents are installed on servers, but you have to pay extra for most of them. The product is totally redesigned and requires some patches and updates to become fully compatible with different types of environments.
Other Advice:
Symantec Backup Exec 2012 is a feature rich tool for data protection and recovery. It can protect both physical and virtual environments to avoid disasters and reduces down time.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
I have been managing databases these days. Could you please advise if you use Symantec Backup Exec 2012 for backing up oracle or mysql databases as well?
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What are you looking to archive emails or documents/files ?
There is a product designed for archiving "VERITAS Enterprise Vault"